Before glimpsing the fascinating future of the Super Duke, a short flashback: in 2005, the first pure street twin with the name Super Duke rolls out of the KTM halls and changes the world of motorcycles. Extremely agile and muscular, the bike lives up to its name – an unmistakable machine, with an aggressive sound, a bike to fit no pre-conceived notions and keeping out of no competitor’s way. Over the years, the Super Duke gets even hotter. Its power increases – as does its fan community.

The success of this uniquely dynamic motorbike confirms the veracity of KTM’s commitment to the Naked Bike, opening the door for further models. The merciless street fighter becomes the leader of a veritable pack of exhilarating bikes – all of them light, pure, top quality, and all without fairings. In 2011, KTM hits the bull’s eye of the small displacement segment with the 125 Duke. Almost 10,000 motorcyclists hop up, by no means just beginners. Just a year later, KTM stages another energetic escalation with the upgraded entry-level version 200 Duke, and puts the latest LC4 generation of the 690 Duke onto the grid – with well-known ingredients for maximum riding fun; with plenty of Single thrust at minimal weight; but also with more practicality, thanks to Drive-by-Wire and ABS. Another year later, there comes the athletic 690 Duke R, while at the same time, the brand new 390 Duke makes ready – a reasonable fun bike that will bring incredible enjoyment to riders all over the world.

Everything possible So far, so good: 125, 200, 390, 690 and 990 cubic centimetres. But things don’t need to end there, even if nobody can make a case for more displacement purely based on rational considerations. Rather, it’s about enjoying power in abundance, about crazy acceleration, about tyres screaming for mercy, about pushing the limits of physics. Out of passion for the world of extremes. The world of KTM. The world of the new Super Duke.

Super Duke Onepointthree At the EICMA 2012, KTM showcases the prototype of the future 1290 Super Duke R – a machine whose entrance needs no explanation and which shouts the very essence of the KTM philosophy unfiltered into the world’s face through two open megaphones. The creators of this concept are not about complying with regulations and legal provisions. They are about showing what happens when the best technicians, designers and riders are unleashed in Mattighofen.

The developers started with another hefty rebore of the RC8 R engine in order to give it maximum punch. Around this two-cylinder elemental force, they fitted a tight suit tailored from light steel pipes, completing the chassis with a single-sided swing arm and the finest suspension components from the WP Suspension prototype development, as well as racing wheels, racing brakes and racing tyres. To this they added the finest carbon parts, countless working hours, and spilled sweat by the bucket. More sweat, more commitment, then finally, cheers. Job done. Rollout in Milan.

Wide open throttle The best news comes last: KTM is already working on the production version of the 1290 Super Duke R, with that same enthusiasm. A good reason to look forward to 2013 – to the first press testride on the new Super Duke R.

"They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! When you're high, you can do everything you normally do, just as well. You just realise that it's not worth the f*cking effort. There is a difference."
The late Bill Hicks

Sell the dog! Get the Mrs down Kings Cross turning some tricks. We can then eBay Ronin's garage contents to make up shortfall

"They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! When you're high, you can do everything you normally do, just as well. You just realise that it's not worth the f*cking effort. There is a difference."
The late Bill Hicks

I guess doing 2 separate exhaust systems could save money on all the pipework that was required on the 990 to make them the same length? As long as it saves money I'm all for it.

"They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! When you're high, you can do everything you normally do, just as well. You just realise that it's not worth the f*cking effort. There is a difference."
The late Bill Hicks

"They lie about marijuana. Tell you pot-smoking makes you unmotivated. Lie! When you're high, you can do everything you normally do, just as well. You just realise that it's not worth the f*cking effort. There is a difference."
The late Bill Hicks